Wanlov denied US visa as FOKN Bois cancels musical concerts

Ghanaian musician Wanlov the Kubolor and colleague Mensa have cancelled scheduled shows in New York  because he has been refused visa by the US Embassy in Accra.

According to a Voice of America (VOA) news publication dated April 9, 2012, the hip-hop duo, after performing at venues throughout Europe and South Africa, said a trip to the US to visit another side of their worldwide audience was not fruitful as they were forced to cancel the concerts when US officials denied Wanlov a visa.

“I applied in Accra, and I was denied a visa. They are telling me the reason they are denying me a visa is because I have a son and a wife that are American and live in Los Angeles, and because I’ve never applied for a green card. So the only way I can come to America is if I apply for a green card,” Wanlov told the VOA.

The report said Wanlov had applied for a performance visa.  A green card is an immigrant visa for applicants intending to live in the US. But Wanlov said he has no intention of moving and just wants to play shows for his American fans.

US consular officials are reported to have told the artist that his only options were to apply for a green card or get a divorce, so he does not foresee future US tour dates.

Wanlov said problems like these make it hard for popular African musicians to play in the US, no matter what level of success they enjoy.

“We do shows all the time all around the world,” the VOA quoted Wanlov as saying.

He continues, “For me it’s a very silly situation that I’ve been put in. I was just invited to come there for a week, financially I’m stable. I’ve seen over 20 countries in the past three years, from the music and from touring and stuff and yet there’s this whole notion that I want to move to the United States.”

The concerts were supposed to have taken place early this year in some parts of the US.

However, bandmate Mensa told the VOA that the group is hopeful they will manage to get to the US one day.

By Ekow Quandzie